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I USE PENCIL HOLDERS FOR MY ROTARY CUTTERS . I ALSO USE PONY TAIL HOLDERS THE SMALL ONES PUT AROUND BOBBINS . TERRI
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Originally Posted by AnitaSt
I guess this could be a tip...when I folded the fabrics on the ruler, I counted the number of folds and stuck a note on the shelf....13 folds = 4 yards. Now, if the note stays up there, I can figure out how much yardage I have without having to unfold and measure.
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Instead of a tissue paper roll, I cut the bottom out of a plastic Crystal Light container and use it to roll my binding on. No twisting, dragging on the floor, etc. and, because it's plastic, it lasts for such a long time.
I also made my own pin cushion using a metal jar lid for the bottom. The needles stop when the point gets to the bottom, so they don't get lost inside the pin cushion. First I covered the jar lid by hot-gluing fabric on the outside. Then I cut a large circle and glued the edge to the inside edge of the lid, leaving a small area so I could stuff lots of batting in. Finished by gluing the final edge down and added some trim. |
Did you know that if you used natural wool from sheep for your pincushions the lanolin from the wool keeps your pins smooth and sharp and helps to preserve them almost indefinately unless they get bent from use. This has been done for ages and ages.
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I also wet the needle.
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I put a dot of fabric glue on each corner...let dry well. that seems to help the sliding ruler etc.
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Originally Posted by homebody323
My favorite tip - when making a quilt, make the binding when you cut the pieces. Put the ready for quilting back on a hanger that has a cardboard cover (used for comforters at the cleaners) then use a old style no clip clothes pin and slip one end of your binding through the center. Place the fabric and pin on the table (open end of the pin down) and spin your binding like a jelly roll. When finished slip it off the pin and put in a sandwich bag, seal and snip a small hole in the center of the top edge. Hang over the hanger neck. Now everything is ready to go the second you finish the top and you are sure you won't use the binding material for something else by accident.
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Originally Posted by redmadder
At Dollar General I bought little pony tail holders that are like snippets of knitted tubes. There were 200 in a little purse, different colors. I slip them on bobbins to keep the thread from coming off. And they are color coordinated.
And cut your binding when you cut your quilt pieces. Otherwise you may use it for something else. If you change your mind, you have a 2+ inch strip already cut for something else. |
If you have magazines with only one or two patterns that you want to save, put them in plastic sleeve with three ring binder holes. I then put them all into a large 3 ring binder. Sure saves lots of space, and keeps them within easy reach.Nice to get rid of patterns that you won't use in a hundred years. Passing on unused patterns to others also helps get rid of the clutter.
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I have done this too!!!
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Trims at Joann Fabrics come wrapprd on plastic thingies which are great for binding.
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HI, Is this for hand sewing needles or yout machine?
If you are having a problem and do not have and auto threader for the needle just slip a white piece of paper behind the eye and it will apear much bigger and easier to thread....
Originally Posted by ThreadHead
I had this in another place, but I think it goes better under Tips
The way I thread my needles----- Cut thread, blunt cut making sure there are no wild threads. Hold the thread between your thumb and forefinger, now pull the thread down from the bottom until there is only a slight dot of thread showing. Set the eye of the needle down on the dot, BARELY roll your thumb and finger open while setting the eye down on the thread, now roll your thumb and finger UP, catching the thread. As you pull the thread up, you pull the needle down and I bet you the needle will be threaded. I've done it so many times I don't even have to look. lol No poking at the eye four or five time. Syl |
This weekend as I was pinning quilts for machine quilting I thought I should pass this tip on as it really works for me. I have three - six foot tables that I set up in my basement. I put the backing fabric on the table and hold it in place with clamps you put around your pant legs when riding a bike or to keep a quilt rolled up for machine quilting. (I never liked them for keeping a quilt rolled up for quilting.) I put one end of the clip under the table and the other end of the clip on the top of the table holding the backing in place. I then put down my batting, putting the edge of the batting under the clips. This keeps the backing and batting tight and straight. I then lay my quilt top down. Depending on the size of my top, I can either put the top under the clips or just spread it out and it stays in place as I am pinning my quilt. Works great for me - I hope I explained it well enough.
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I HATE TO ADMIT IT , BUT I AM A SMOKER . AND TO GET SMOKE OUT OF QUILTS , I USE LAVENDER WATER SOLUTION . 2 CUPS OF DISTILLED WATER ,2 OUNCES CHEAP VODKA AND 15 - 20 DROPS OF 100 PERCENT ESSENTIAL OIL OF LAVENDER [ LAVENDER OIL FOUND AT HEALTH FOODS STORES ] SPRAY AND IRON . SMELLS SO GOOD . TERRI
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I ALSO USE MENS BELT HANGERS FOR MY RULERS . TERRI
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I have a wooden rack with pegs (from Hancocks or JoAnn) hanging near my machine. I put the bobbin on a peg and the matching spool of thread on top of it.
To prevent backaches when cutting fabric, use sections of PVC pipe on the bottom of the table legs to raise it to a convenient height. We have found that 12" is about right for most of our quilting group. The pipe is easy to cut with hand saws or your local hardware store may cut it for you. |
If you aren't handy with saws and such, try using a tall can like a fruit juice can under each leg.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you. It does work!!! That's my most difficult thing to do. You just made my life easier.
Originally Posted by whinnytoo
and I wet the needle, not the thread....... works slick as a whistle!
The way I thread my needles----- Cut thread, blunt cut making sure there are no wild threads. Hold the thread between your thumb and forefinger, now pull the thread down from the bottom until there is only a slight dot of thread showing. Set the eye of the needle down on the dot, BARELY roll your thumb and finger open while setting the eye down on the thread, now roll your thumb and finger UP, catching the thread. As you pull the thread up, you pull the needle down and I bet you the needle will be threaded. I've done it so many times I don't even have to look. lol No poking at the eye four or five time. Syl |
I ALSO USE EMPTY TOILET PAPER ROLL TO ROLL UP MY BINDING WORKS GREAT FOR ME . I ALSO USE TO EMERY BOARDS TO HOLD SMALL TRIANGLS WHEN I CUT .
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